rohu overview

India being an agricultural country, its economy mainly depends on the successful production of agricultural products. Coming to the fisheries sector, India accounts for 4.4% of the global fish production. It is one of the richest nations in the world with regard to genetic resources of fishes which are distributed over a network of perennial river systems in the country. The aquaculture systems in India and its neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, mainly constitute Indian major carps viz. Catla (Catla catla, Hamilton), rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala, Hamilton) and sometimes Kalbasu (Labeo calbasu, Hamilton). Indian Aquaculture is highly promising and has grown over six and half fold in the last two decades with freshwater aquaculture contributing over 95% of the total aquaculture production. India contributes around 3.6 million tons to world freshwater fish production in 2009 (FAO, 2009).

Among the Indian major carps, rohu is one of the most preferred species in the country and commands a higher price in the market. The species is also an excellent game fish owing to its easy acceptance of angler's bait. Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Odisha are the most important states for aquaculture production and rohu is the most preferred species in these states and also in other states of the country.

The "Rohu: (Labeo rohita) Database" is designed by Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar pertaining detailed information related to basic biology, genetics, nutritional requirements, physiological studies, flesh quality and its value addition, diseases, genomics and proteomics analysis, which will provide a baseline genomic data for other related fish species. We have made an effort to collect all related information and make a comprehensive database for the benefit of students, teachers, researchers and other stakeholders and would be updated on a regular basis.

Reference:

1. FAO yearbook, 2009. Fisheries and Aquaculture statistics. FAO Headquarters, Rome.